ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to review the different models of academic governance systems that exist in higher education and evaluate their viability in administering public affairs programs, as well as their compatibility with accreditation standards set by the NASPAA. While shared governance has been recommended by the NASPAA, what it means and how it can most effectively be implemented in public affairs programs are questions to which there have not been substantive discussions. As we are witnessing the proliferation of public affairs programs offered in the online modality, coupled with the growing number of courses being offered outside of public affairs programs, recognizing academic governance structures that can best meet the NASPAA standards and thus ensuring the integrity of the programs is an important endeavor.
